New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-14
IRELANDS ADVOCATES OUTSPOKEN.
THEY SHOW THEIR HANDS IN PARLIAMENT.
END OF THE DEBATE OVER THE COERCION POLICY
OF THE GOVERNMENT

END OF THE DEBATE OVER THE COERCION POLICY
OF THE GOVERNMENT.
LONDON, SEPT. Is. William Henry Smith, Chan
cellorof the Exchequer, replying to question IN tho
House of Commons to-day sa,d that the attention OF
the Government had been called to statement con-
tanned in q The Dublin Weekly News" to the effect
that 1t would continue to publish reports of the meet
ipgs of such branches of the Irish National League
as the Government might order suppressed, to show
the futility of the Governments attacks on the
League This paper, Mr.. Smith said, belonged TO the
Lord Mayor OF Dublin r. d. Sullivan. who was also
member OF the House Of Commons and Justice OF
the Peace for Dublin. Nevertheless If any OF the
threatened publishing actually took place. the GOV
ernment would take steps to vndlcate the law lCnes
OF Hear |" d" Hsarpl
John Philip Nolan. Home Ruler, Member for North
Galway, asked II it was true that William OBrlen,
was confined in cell 0x4 rect in and 1t Mr. Bal
four, Chief Secretary tor Ireland meant 10 oroer
reasonable accommodations for the prisoner.
Mr. Bslfour said he had no knowledge respecting
the nature of the cell occupied by Mr.. OBrien. VI
course, he added, 1t was his Mr.. Balfour 81 desire
that Mr.. O'Brien should be comfortably confined ana
the prison rules provided that untried prisoners
should ave reasonable accommodations.
Mr. Nolan said he hored the Government would
relax the prison rules applicable to political offenders
in Ireland, and especially urgeo MODIFICATION Oh the
degrsding duties enforced on common criminals
John Dillon said it manifest that the Gov
eminent had the power to infict personal punishment
bers of the Irish party. who, therefore, had the right
to demand security that they would not be treated
like pickpockets. His own experience as a poltical
prisoner in Ireland that food was meed ont ON
starvation system in Irish jails. II Mr. OBrien was
confined in an ordinary CELL IL cruel seeing that
he was in delicate health He Mr.. Dillon) was con-
vinced that the people of England would not stand
continuance OF the treatment the Governs;ent gave
political piisoners If the Government persisted in
this Of treatment, they would arouse a storm
of hafa hay
Mr.. Balfour said he was unable TO see that the
offence OF persons arrested under the Crimes Act,
differed from offences under the ordinary law. Any
alteration In the treatment OF prisoners ought TO be
applied after due inquiry All prisoners should be
treated alike regarding prison discipline He had
some difficulty in recOnciling the statements now
made with tie Language formerly used by the lrish
members to tn e eject that the Grimes ACT were en-
forced the bulk of the prisoners put in jail under It's
provisions would be better of than they were outside
the prisons. He was unable TO conceive how the
Irish members could make any distinction between
the prison treatment OF persons under arrest ior In
citing people crime and ourages and that gwen 10
those under arrest Tor committing crime aud out
raees Mr. o. Brien had only himself to thank TOR
beng now in custody. II he had appeared in court
at Mitchclstown to answer the summons con- uanding
him to appear there and answer the charges against
him. even il convicted, he might have remained at
large prior to the adjudication oi an appeal CoAserV-
John Morley, Liberal, said the action of the Irish
members was due 10 the nature OF the exceptional
law forced on the people OF their country he conse
ouences of which the Government bad been amply
warned Of. In foreig IN country were pontcai
offenders subjected to the har,h discipline applied to
political prisoners in Ireland. Cries OF Hear J.
q Hear wl What the Government had already done
showed that 1t was their intention to rule Ireland
during the recess in the most rigorous manner pos
sible under the Coercion Act He urged the Govern
ment to reconsider their refusal TO grant an inquiry
into the conduct of the police at Mtchelsts~n n IN
Government would not concede q committee OF Par
lament to Ike the inquiry it at least desirable
that official Investigation should be made to satisfy
the public mind The Government ought also 10
issue SPECIAL cautions to the police against reso ting
to the OF firearms against the people excepting in
the last extremity.
Mr. Labouchere denounced the poles account OF
the Mitchelstown afray rs gross and mpudent tis-
sue of hes and he characterized the who issued
fbe account MS liars ss we'll as murderers He dc
maHded mpertial inquiry INTO The outrabes.
Mr. Parnell said that nothing reflected more dis
or edit the Government than the present treatment
OF political prisoners. The late Mr. Forster treated
biz prisoners with distinguished humanity. Now the
Government tried TO strike terror into the hearts OF
their opponents by treating political prisoners ike
criminals of the bsscst type. Referring to the
Mchestowp affair, Mr. Parnell declared that no 6ov
ernment reporters ever molestcd AT any OF thc
thousands OF meetings which had oeen hcld py tue
Irish National League in Ireland The meeting NJ
Mir stUwn was equally omen to these reporters.
The police acted like towards and were part o tue
system bich reign OF terror within PRISON ana
OF murder outside Instead of concodng 10
Ireland the right TO manage her own affairs the GOV
ernment had taken her by the throat and was trying
to strangle her. In conclusion Mr.. Parnell said he
wished Mr.. Baliour well outside of his job. Irish
Cheers Ny only fear is added the IRISH leader,
lest some men become 81 exasperated as TO commit
wild acts OF revenge will continue however, to urge
my countI ymen to prtient endurance. OF wrong AM
suffering until they get Home Rule" lCheers
The Appropriation bill passed i.s third reading aud
the House djourn1d until Friday next when Parlia-
ment will be prorogued.